Bergamot Essential Oil Attenuates Anxiety-Like Behaviour in Rats

Abstract

Preclinical studies have recently highlighted that bergamot essential oil (BEO) is endowed with remarkable neurobiolological effects. BEO can affect synaptic transmission, modulate electroencephalographic activity and it showed neuroprotective and analgesic properties. The phytocomplex, along with other essential oils, is also widely used in aromatherapy to minimize symptoms of stress-induced anxiety and mild mood disorders. However, only limited preclinical evidences are actually available. This study examined the anxiolytic/sedative-like effects of BEO using an open field task (OFT), an elevated plus-maze task (EPM), and a forced swimming task (FST) in rats. This study further compared behavioural effects of BEO to those of the benzodiazepine diazepam. Analysis of data suggests that BEO induces anxiolytic-like/relaxant effects in animal behavioural tasks not superimposable to those of the DZP. The present observations provide further insight to the pharmacological profile of BEO and support its rational use in aromatherapy.

Efficacy of bergamot: From anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative mechanisms to clinical applications as preventive agent for cardiovascular morbidity, skin diseases, and mood alterations

“…Intraperitoneal injections of BEO (250 and 500 μl/kg), compared to jojoba oil (500 μl/kg) (Rombolà et al, 2017), respectively, decreased grooming in rats (p < 0.001/p < 0.0001) and increased immobility (p < 0.05/p < 0.001).…”

“…BEO 2.5% and diazepam (1 mg/ kg) both exhibited anxiolytic-like behaviors in rats (open arms time, p < 0.01 and entries, p < 0.05) and reduced plasma corticosterone Intraperitoneal injections of BEO (250 and 500 μl/kg), compared to jojoba oil (500 μl/kg) (Rombolà et al, 2017), respectively, decreased grooming in rats (p < 0.001/p < 0.0001) and increased immobility (p < 0.05/p < 0.001). BEO 2.5% and diazepam (1 mg/ kg) both exhibited anxiolytic-like behaviors in rats (open arms time, p < 0.01 and entries, p < 0.05) and reduced plasma corticosterone Intraperitoneal injections of BEO (250 and 500 μl/kg), compared to jojoba oil (500 μl/kg) (Rombolà et al, 2017), respectively, decreased grooming in rats (p < 0.001/p < 0.0001) and increased immobility (p < 0.05/p < 0.001).…”

Innovative results in the treatment of inespecific anusitis-proctitis with the use of bergamot gel (Benebeo gel)®

“…It comes from the pressing of the peel of the ripe fruit. More and more recent studies have developed in the ield of psychiatry as anxiolytic [29,30], and also for its antriproliferative effects [31] and anticancer activity in vitro [32]. And there are studies in mice that suggest that bergamot oil may be relevant in the treatment of vascular disorders in which proliferation of smooth muscle cell and oxyLD-related endothelial cell dysfunction are involved [33].…”

Comparative Study of a and b- pinene Content in Volatile Oils of Abies alba, Pinus sylvestris, Juniperus communis, Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis and Coriandrum sativum

“…Paracelsus (c.1493-c.1541), a Swiss-German doctor and alchemist, had predicted the differentiation of plant therapeutic activity in respect to the plant part that is being used, and to the moment in plant's life. Paracelsus supported the idea of using the full plant's extract as a quintessence of its beneficial properties, notion that is of high actuality and that is known today as phyto-complex [8][9][10].…”

“…Essential oils in different formulations have a large field of applications, from antibacterial [11][12][13], antifungal [14][15][16][17], and natural insecticide [18,19], to perfumes, cosmetics, aromatherapy, product. Plant oil is of highest importance for human beings, to prevent, ameliorate, or cure certain health disorders like infections [20], inflammations [21,22], scars [23,24], hormonal imbalances [25][26][27], mental illnesses [9,[28][29][30], diabetes [30,31], and even some types of cancer [30,32,33].…”